Zone 3 Public Safety Council aims to be a unified voice for residents concerns

May 26, 2009

If all goes as planned, the Zone 3 Public Safety Council will soon become the main and united voice of the 11 neighborhoods in the Zone 3 police district.

Zone 3 Commander Catherine McNeilly plans to prioritize officers' attendance at community meeting to specific problems rather than monthly appearances. She said the officers' time is better spent working on projects that better deliver service to the residents.

Commander McNeilly would like "focused" monthly meetings with the Zone 3 Council on the most important and significant issues in the neighborhoods so that they may be addressed and tracked efficiently and effectively. She said there would still be time that the police would attend local community meetings, when appropriate.

Zone 3 Public Safety Meetings will now be held in the fourth floor Conference Room of the station at the corner of Arlington and Warrington avenues. They will be continue to be held on the third Wednesday of each month, except in January and August, and will begin at 6 p.m.

Due the size of the conference room the revamped council will be limited to two representatives from each of the 11 neighborhoods of Zone 3. The meetings will still be open to the general public, but those attending are asked to contact Officer Luffey so accommodations can be made for their attendance.

Commander McNeilly stressed that the station is still accessible by calling the same number, 412-488-8326, and that Crime Prevention Officer Christine Luffey can still be reached by calling 412-488-8425, or by email at Christine.luffey@city.pittsburgh .pa.us.

Mr. Wolfe said the Zone 3 council is currently working on a Website for the Zone where anyone may log on to find out meeting information, download Silent Complaint Forms and more.

The next meeting of the Zone 3 Public Safety Council will take place on Wednesday June 17, 6 p.m ., at the station.